A Look Inside the Clinic...

I have been going to the veterinary clinic every week since the end of August. I am there for two hours Monday and Tuesday. I am also planning to go on Saturdays because they are very busy and I will be able to observe more things, as well as earn more hours at a time. While being at the clinic, I have learned how the technicians take x-rays, prep animals for major and minor surgeries, how they bandage animals, and so much more. Being able to observe what goes on at the veterinary clinic has helped me further understand the job duties of a veterinary technician versus a veterinarian. Overall, it has been a great experience so far and I'm excited to put in more hours.

Back of clinic where patients are taken and observed.

Surgical table in surgery room.

Kennel run where all dogs that are boarding, waiting for surgery, or recovering from surgery are taken.

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.
For the 30 hours, I plan to take a college class, Orientation and Careers in AHS (Animal Health Science), and volunteer at Priceless Pets Animal Shelter in Chino Hills. The class will give me information on what classes to take, prerequisites needed, and careers that are available within the Animal Health Science field. Volunteering at the animal shelter will expose me to a different side of animal care and allow me to experience what it's like to run a business. 

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

For the college class, I can show my transcript after I have completed the class. I could also show essays and work that I complete for the class. For volunteering, I could bring in pictures of the shelter and what I do there. I could also bring in the shirt that I'm required to wear and a copy of the log of how many hours I volunteered.

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

 Taking a college class will show me what it would be like to major in animal science. Volunteering at the animal shelter will give me hands on experience and show me a different job that still involves working with animals. 

Blog 6: Second Interview Preparation

1. Who is your mentor and where do they work?
My mentor is Dr. Gene Metzger. He works at Country Animal Clinic in Chino.

2. What five questions will you ask them about their background?
- Did you always want to become a veterinarian? Why? If not, what did you want to be?
- I've heard this is a highly competitive field, what types of obstacles did you encounter when studying to become a vet?
- What is the difference between VMD and DVM?
- Where did you get your undergraduate degree? Your graduate?
- What is it like owning and operating your own clinic?

Blog 5: Mentorship and Research Reflection

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship?

 I was originally going to mentor my aunt’s friend who had recently graduated from veterinary school, but I learned that she works in Apple Valley and I wasn’t going to commute there two or more times a week.  So I decided to find a mentor closer to home. I wrote a letter to my current mentor, Dr. Gene Metzger, and he called me and said he would be glad to be my mentor. I have taken my dogs to Dr. Metzger for years and that is why I decided to contact him.

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?

 The most important article I have read is by Tanja Z called Veterinary Job Description from Healthcare Salary World.com. This was the most important and informative because it gave detail about what courses to take in order to become a vet. It stated what certificates, degrees, and tests are required for this job. It also gave a detailed description of the basics of what Veterinarians do.

First Days of Mentorship

I have only been able to go to the Veterinary clinic a couple times since school started. During my time there I was able to talk to the staff about animals that had recently come in and what their conditions were. I observed as they gave a few week old kitten an X-Ray in order to find out what was wrong with his stomach. Luckily, there wasn't any serious problems with the kitten and he was able to go home that day. I was also able to help the staff count out pills and clean surgical instruments. It is great to be in the clinic environment and able observe the different animals that come in. While I haven't done much at my mentorship so far, I plan to go there two to three times a week and gain more knowledge and insight.

Sign at front of clinic

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?

I plan on interviewing my mentor, Dr. Gene Metzger, first. I want to interview him first because I feel that the information he will give me will be a good foundation for the rest of my research. 

2. You have to ask 5 questions.  What additional questions do you plan to ask? 

How long have you been a veterinarian?

What caused you to choose this career path?

Have you always wanted to become a veterinarian? Why? If not, what did you want to be?

I’ve heard this is a competitive field, what types of obstacles did you encounter when studying to become a vet?

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ

1. Veterinary Medicine

2. What does the job of a veterinarian entail?